Three new Members Join HAWC’s Board

HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors effective July 1, 2015. The North Shore domestic violence agency’s board consists of 11 well-rounded business professionals and community leaders whose individual skillsets and experience are sure to successfully lead the agency as it maintains and grows its offerings.

Paul Kurker of Reading brings a wealth of financial acumen in his appointment as the board’s treasurer. Currently senior vice president and team leader of Commercial Banking for Eastern Bank, Kurker’s more than 30 years of experience in the banking arena will lend significant insight to HAWC’s economic growth and overall health.

Elma Mandzo’s post as Financial Services Manager for People’s United Bank and more than eight years of financial services experience have provided for many opportunities to collaborate with business leaders in the community. The ability to make these connections will benefit HAWC and its efforts to gain exposure in the communities it serves. A Revere resident, Mandzo served on the agency’s Walk for HAWC committee, a group of volunteers dedicated to raise awareness about the annual fundraiser. During her year of service there, she contributed valuable insight to the group.

With more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit management, Bernadette Peeples of Marblehead brings a deep understanding of the specific challenges agencies such as HAWC face today. As the Director of Programs & Operations for YES (Youth Enrichment Services), Peeples’ strong programmatic background will be an excellent resource to the HAWC board. Peeples also served on the agency’s WALK for HAWC committee in 2015 and provided much brainstorming and implementation support.

“We are confident that our new board members are an excellent fit for our board, and we will certainly pull from their collective expertise,” said Linda Puopolo, HAWC’s incumbent board president. “Each of us is excited to welcome our new colleagues and to learn of fresh perspectives to guide the agency.”

Prior to electing its new board members, the board bid farewell to directors Ben Waxman of Salem and Stephen Feron of Hamilton, who served on the board for seven and eight years, respectively. The board also said goodbye to Ray Carey of Marblehead, who has been involved with HAWC for more than 20 years. All three served in multiple leadership roles on the HAWC board.

“We are so grateful for the service of our board members. They have left a legacy of organizational values and best practices in governance that our board and its new members will undoubtedly benefit from,” said Anthony DiPietro, HAWC’s executive director.

The board officially elected in its new members in late June and will conduct its first meeting with its current members in late July after an orientation for the three new members.